Helpful Information for New BVI Yacht Charterers

We understand that inquiring about yacht chartering for the first time can be a little confusing and intimidating. We are here to help you understand and feel comfortable about coming to us with any questions you may have.

First time BVI yacht charterers are very important to us and we hope to deliver proper satisfaction. Feel free to contact us with ANY information you may need.

Below are 7 Things To Be Aware of Before Your Charter

1) Catamarans are definitely more roomy than mono-hulls and have this beautiful “netted” sun-bathing area forward of the salon structure. They are also very stable (2 hulls) and do not move as much as monohulls or even power boats.

2) All of the better catamarans are fully air conditioned although most guests find that they do not use it at all. The beds are mostly Queen Size or, if it is a European built cat, it will have what the Europeans call Doubles which are larger than the American Double but smaller than the American Queen. They are very comfortable and most of our guests find them more than adequate given the fact that you spend most of your time outdoors and are usually very tired when you go to bed and will sleep well regardless..!!

3) Since most of the Caribbean boats, especiallly the BVI boats, operate on an “all-inclusive” basis, the high rate and the low rate reflect the number of guests on board. The low rate reflects the minimum number of guests (maybe 2) and the high rate reflects the maximum number of guests (maybe 6 or 8, depending on the boat).

On powerboats operating under MYBA terms (Mediterranean) the low rate is in winter and the high rate is July and August. These are not inclusive of anything except the captain and crew. and fuel, food and beverages and port fees, dockage etc. are all grouped into someting called “Expenses”. All rates are quoted as base rate (high or lowseason) + Expenses.

Some power boats in the Virgin Islands operate under Caribbean Terms which means that they are inclusive. I will also send you some of these.

4) You can pick up the boat in St. Thomas if you are 6 guests or less and if the crew have US visas and if the boat is flagged appropriately. So sometimes you have to pick up in Tortola which is a short ferry-ride away.

5) About 30 days before embarcation date, I will send you a preference sheet where you can detail your food and beverage preferences. You can request specific beer or Rum brands at no extra cost. Alcohol is cheap in the islands. It is recommended that guests drink reasonably although I’m aware that reasonable means different things to different people.

Outright drunkeness or drug consumption of any kind is not tolerated on board any charter yacht and the captain may choose to put guests ashore in case of ocurrences. You may smoke outside in any location but not inside the boat.

6) When we describe a vessel as having 3 cabins or 4 cabins, it always means guest cabins. The crew quarters are separate and you do not share a bathroom unless otherwise noted in the spec sheet.

7) Additional costs: Some boats include the BVI cruisng tax and Nat Park Fees others do not it’s in the brochure, so you can see. But it’s not a big deal, taxes are $4.00 per person per day a+ about $100 flat fee for the boat. The crew’s gratuity is not included either.

Tipping is DISCRETIONARY but it is also CUSTOMARY for good service to give the crew 10 to 15% of the charter rate as a tip. Land transportation is not included.

Specialty Liquors and expensive wines and champagnes can be ordered but need to be paid for separately. Boats normally anchor out but if you request dockage at a marina, you will be responsible for the marina fees.